A2 Expression Formell

직진하세요.

Jikjinhaseyo.

Go straight.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

The essential way to tell someone to keep moving forward without turning, perfect for giving directions or following a GPS.

  • Means: 'Go straight' or 'Proceed forward' in a formal, polite manner.
  • Used in: Giving street directions, driving instructions, or navigating public spaces.
  • Don't confuse: With '똑바로' (ttok-ba-ro), which can also mean 'do it correctly' or 'behave'.
📍 + ⬆️ + 🗣️ = Clear Navigation

Explanation at your level:

This phrase is used to tell someone to go straight. It is very important for travel. You use it with taxi drivers or when you help someone find a place. You say 'Jik-jin-ha-se-yo.' It is polite. You can use it with anyone you don't know well.
At the A2 level, you use '{직진|直進}하세요' to give basic directions. It combines the noun '{직진|直進}' (straight) with the verb '하다' (to do) and the polite ending '-(으)세요.' You will often use it with '해서' (and then) to give a sequence of directions, like 'Go straight and turn left.'
Intermediate learners should recognize the Hanja roots ({直} and {進}) to understand related words like '직접' (directly) or '진행' (progress). You can now use the phrase in more complex sentences, such as '약국이 나올 때까지 {직진|直進}하시면 됩니다' (You just need to go straight until the pharmacy appears). You also begin to see its metaphorical use in social contexts.
Upper-intermediate learners understand the nuance between '{직진|直進}하다' and '똑바로 가다.' While both mean 'go straight,' '{직진|直進}' is more technical and common in navigation systems, while '똑바로' can imply 'correctly.' You can also discuss the 'Jikjin-nam' cultural trope and how it reflects changing dating norms in Korean society.
Advanced learners analyze '{직진|直進}하세요' within the framework of imperative mood morphology and deictic markers. You understand how the register shifts from the consultative '-(으)세요' to the authoritative '-하십시오' in formal announcements. You can use the term metaphorically in business contexts to describe a 'straightforward' strategy that bypasses intermediaries.
At this level of mastery, you appreciate the linguistic economy of Sino-Korean compounds in technical navigation. You can discuss the cognitive linguistics of how 'straightness' is mapped onto 'honesty' in the Korean psyche. You are comfortable using the term in high-level debates about urban planning or psychological profiles of 'direct' versus 'indirect' communication styles in East Asian cultures.

Bedeutung

An instruction to proceed forward without turning.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

The 'Jikjin-nam' ({직진|直進}남) trope is a major part of modern K-drama culture. It represents a shift from the 'tsundere' (cold then hot) archetype to a more transparent and honest male lead. Due to the rapid urbanization of Seoul, many streets are not on a perfect grid. 'Jikjin' often means 'follow the main winding road' rather than a mathematically straight line. Korea has some of the world's most advanced navigation apps (Naver Maps, Kakao Maps). The voice of these apps has made '{직진|直進}하세요' one of the most recognized phrases even for non-speakers living in Korea. When giving directions, using your whole hand to point in the direction of '{직진|直進}' is considered more polite than using a single finger.

💡

Use with '해서'

When giving multi-step directions, always use '{직진|直進}해서' (Go straight and then...). It sounds much more natural than saying two separate sentences.

⚠️

Don't over-honorific

Avoid saying '직진하시겠어요?' to a taxi driver unless you want to sound overly formal or sarcastic. '직진하세요' or '직진해 주세요' is perfect.

Bedeutung

An instruction to proceed forward without turning.

💡

Use with '해서'

When giving multi-step directions, always use '{직진|直進}해서' (Go straight and then...). It sounds much more natural than saying two separate sentences.

⚠️

Don't over-honorific

Avoid saying '직진하시겠어요?' to a taxi driver unless you want to sound overly formal or sarcastic. '직진하세요' or '직진해 주세요' is perfect.

🎯

The 'Jikjin' Personality

If you want to describe someone as honest and bold, call them a 'Jikjin-style' ({직진|直進} 스타일) person. It's a high compliment in modern Korea.

💬

Hand Gestures

When saying '직진하세요,' point with your whole hand toward the horizon. It adds clarity and politeness.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the blank to tell the taxi driver to go straight.

기사님, 저기 사거리에서 ________.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 직진하세요

The context of 'going straight' at an intersection is best served by '직진하세요'.

Which phrase is the most natural way to say 'Go straight and then turn left'?

...

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 직진해서 왼쪽으로 가세요

The '-해서' connector is the most natural way to link two sequential movement instructions.

Match the phrase to the situation: '그냥 고민하지 말고 직진해!'

When would you say this?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Encouraging a friend to confess their love

This is the metaphorical use of 'Jikjin' meaning to be bold and direct.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 실례합니다. 우체국이 어디에 있어요? B: 이 길로 100미터 정도 ( ).

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 직진하세요

The polite imperative '-(으)세요' is required for giving directions to a stranger.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Jikjin vs. Ttokbaro

{직진|直進}
Driving 운전
GPS 안내
똑바로
Posture 자세
Behavior 행동

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, it is used for both driving and walking directions.

'직진' is more formal/technical (navigation), while '똑바로' is more general and can also mean 'correctly.'

Only if used with someone older or a stranger. Use it only with close friends.

5분 동안 {직진|直進}하세요 (O-bun dong-an jik-jin-ha-se-yo).

Yes, '직진 고고' (Jikjin Go-Go) is common among younger people.

Yes, to describe a project moving forward without delays: '이 프로젝트는 {직진|直進}입니다.'

It refers to a man who is very direct and honest about his romantic feelings.

Yes, but in fast speech, it can become very light, sounding like 'a-se-yo'.

It's better to say '직진하세요' or '직진해서 가세요.'

The opposite is '후진' (backwards) or turning (좌회전/우회전).

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

좌회전하세요

contrast

Please turn left.

🔗

우회전하세요

contrast

Please turn right.

🔄

똑바로 가세요

synonym

Go straight/correctly.

🔗

쭉 가세요

similar

Go straight on/keep going.

🔗

후진하세요

contrast

Please reverse/go backward.

Wo du es verwendest

🚕

In a Taxi

Driver: 여기서 어디로 갈까요?

Passenger: 저기 신호등까지 {직진|直進}하세요.

formal
🗺️

Giving Directions to a Stranger

Stranger: 실례합니다, 은행이 어디에 있어요?

You: 이 길로 200미터 정도 {직진|直進}하세요.

formal
💪

Encouraging a Friend

Friend: 그녀에게 고백할까 말까?

You: 고민하지 마! 그냥 {직진|直進}해!

informal
📱

GPS Voice Guidance

GPS: 잠시 후 {직진|直進}입니다.

Driver: 알겠어, 계속 {직진|直進}할게.

formal
🚗

Driving Lesson

Instructor: 차선을 유지하고 {직진|直進}하세요.

Student: 네, {직진|直進}하겠습니다.

formal
🚶

Walking with a Friend

Friend: 우리 어디로 가고 있어?

You: 그냥 이 길 따라서 {직진|直進}해.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Jig' (like a dance) but instead of zig-zagging, you 'Jin' (advance) straight ahead. Jik-Jin!

Visual Association

Imagine a bright green arrow pointing perfectly upward on a smartphone screen. The arrow is glowing and says 'JIK-JIN' in bold letters.

Rhyme

Don't turn left, don't turn right, Jikjin-haseyo, keep the goal in sight!

Story

You are in a taxi in Seoul. The driver asks where to go. You see the N Seoul Tower right in front of you. You point and say, 'Jikjin-haseyo!' The taxi flies straight like a rocket toward the tower.

Word Web

직진 (Straight)좌회전 (Left turn)우회전 (Right turn)유턴 (U-turn)신호등 (Traffic light)사거리 (Intersection)쭉 (Straight/Long)앞으로 (Forward)

Herausforderung

Next time you use a map app, switch the language to Korean and listen for the word 'Jikjin' every time you need to go straight.

In Other Languages

English high

Go straight

English is more likely to use 'keep going' for long distances.

Japanese high

まっすぐ行ってください (Massugu itte kudasai)

Korean uses the Sino-Korean term more naturally in casual speech than Japanese does.

Chinese moderate

一直走 (Yīzhí zǒu)

Chinese focuses on the 'continuous' aspect (always) rather than just the 'straight' aspect.

Spanish high

Siga recto

Spanish uses a verb meaning 'to follow' rather than 'to do'.

French high

Allez tout droit

French uses 'droit' which also means 'law/right', similar to how '똑바로' can mean 'correctly'.

German high

Geradeaus gehen

German combines 'straight' and 'out' into one adverb.

Arabic moderate

اذهب مباشرة (Idhhab mubasharatan)

The Arabic term is more closely related to the concept of 'immediacy' or 'directness'.

Portuguese high

Siga em frente

Portuguese focuses on the 'front' direction rather than the 'straightness' of the line.

Easily Confused

직진하세요. vs. 똑바로

Learners often use '똑바로' for directions when they mean 'correctly' or vice versa.

Use '직진' for maps and cars; use '똑바로' for posture, behavior, or simple walking.

직진하세요. vs. 앞으로

Both mean 'forward,' but '앞으로' is a direction (to the front), while '직진' is an action (advancing straight).

'앞으로' is a noun/adverb of place; '직진' is a verb of motion.

FAQ (10)

Yes, it is used for both driving and walking directions.

'직진' is more formal/technical (navigation), while '똑바로' is more general and can also mean 'correctly.'

Only if used with someone older or a stranger. Use it only with close friends.

5분 동안 {직진|直進}하세요 (O-bun dong-an jik-jin-ha-se-yo).

Yes, '직진 고고' (Jikjin Go-Go) is common among younger people.

Yes, to describe a project moving forward without delays: '이 프로젝트는 {직진|直進}입니다.'

It refers to a man who is very direct and honest about his romantic feelings.

Yes, but in fast speech, it can become very light, sounding like 'a-se-yo'.

It's better to say '직진하세요' or '직진해서 가세요.'

The opposite is '후진' (backwards) or turning (좌회전/우회전).

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